Courses

ILPH-365

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All percussion principals

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 3

Department Code: PERC

An introduction to timbale playing that will cover the history of the instrument from its Creole origins when it was still a timpani, to the contemporary timbale set-up: three cowbells, bass drum, cymbals, jam-block, and snare. This course will cover danzón, cha-cha, mambo, pilon, Mozambique, traditional salsa, and songo styles. With each style, the student will learn to play a tune in that genre and study stylistically appropriate patterns, fills, and solo material. This course is highly recommended for drum set principals who wish to improve their overall understanding of Latin music though adaptation of timbale playing concepts to the drum set.

ILPH-371

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: ILPH-293, ILPH-357, or overall ensemble rating 4

Department Code: PERC

Continuation of ILPH-357 and ILPH-359. Development of more advanced techniques and concepts through deeper examination of evolution and derivations of the rhythmic styles. Intended course outcomes include performance-level group playing and improvisation as well as soloing.

ILPH-391

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Fall

Required of: None

Electable by: All percussion principals

Prerequisites: None

Department Code: PERC

In this course, students learn the setup of all the steelpan instruments and the basic techniques of steelpan performance. This includes scale learning and sticking techniques. Students also learn to apply these techniques through simple arrangements that highlight the characteristic rhythms and comping (accompanying) patterns.

ILPH-429

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All percussion principals

Prerequisites: None

Department Code: PERC

With emphasis on R&B, rock/funk, swing, motown, and pop styles, this course explores the study of small hand percussion: tambourine, shakers, cowbells, and cabasa, as well as congas, bongos, and timbales, individually as well as in combination with each other to form multiple percussion setups. Transitions, groove building, and coordination techniques will be analyzed in class. Chart reading and interpretation, as well as some transcription techniques, will be covered throughout the semester. Knowledge of basic conga techniques is strongly recommended.

ILPH-451

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring

Required of: None

Electable by: All percussion principals

Prerequisites: None

Department Code: PERC

An intensive study of Guinean music from the Susu, Mandinka, Fulani, Bambara, Soninke, and Baga speaking people of French West Africa. Areas of focus include; interlocking support rhythms, call and response dialogues, and beat transposition along with unconventional hand and stick technique. Students will learn primarily from an oral tradition approach.

ILPM-121

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: None

Department Code: PERC

In this course, students with no prior mallet experience will develop fundamental skills, including four-mallet technique, pedaling and dampening, through the execution of melodies and harmonic progressions drawn from The Great American Songbook, as well as other popular and classical musical literature. Basic improvisation techniques are also introduced.

In this course, students will develop and refine mallet keyboard playing skills including the four mallet grip, playing scales with various sticking combinations, dampening techniques and sight-reading. Students also will learn about and apply concepts in music theory, improvisation, and chord voicings. In addition, students will play and improvise on compositions that address many styles.

ILPM-231

2 credit(s)

Course Chair: John Ramsay

Semesters Offered: Spring Only

Required of: None

Electable by: All percussion principals

Prerequisites: HR-112 and overall ensemble rating 3

Department Code: PERC

This class teaches students to develop musicianship skills by concentrating on the integration of harmony, melody, rhythm and dynamics through analysis and performance. Additionally, students will be able to identify melodic/harmonic movement in a single line piece.

This course emphasizes skills essential for marimbists and percussionists to develop a personalized repertoire and contribute to performance literature for marimba. Students will learn to adapt music for marimba (and other mallet and percussion instruments) from sources such as music for guitar, piano, string quartet, orchestra, and pop bands. Some may opt to arrange music based on lead sheets or transcribe music from recordings. Students will sight-read, rehearse, and perform each other’s projects. Performances in an end-of-term concert will be scheduled. In addition, works composed for the marimba will be studied and performed to provide an overview of the range of available literature, performance styles, and leading performers worldwide.